Isabelle Marsh

My £3.99 Brow Secret

Brows on fleek?

I like to think of myself as a brow connoisseur having tried all methods since the age of about 14 when my mum marched me down to the threading booth underneath the escalators in our local shopping centre. Since then, I’ve explored other methods of brow shaping including waxing, tweezing, shaving (do not reccommend!) and even hair removal cream. However, nothing beats the fresh feeling of having your eyebrows threaded (even if it feels like your soul is being ripped out at the root).

Due to the cozzie livs and inflation, getting my eyebrows done was getting a bit costly. I wanted to see if I could do it on the cheap and get just as good of a result. I always avoided waxing as the hair breakage and ingrown hairs didn’t seem worth it somehow but luckily on a trip to Savers, I found the answers to my prayers.

I started off using the Beauty Formulas Aloe Vera Face Wax Strips but they left a lot of residue that was hard to get off. After they were discontinued I then tried the Boots Face Wax Strips but I missed the bargain of the Savers ones. Then I found the original Veet Face Wax Strips in Savers which were very good but did rip too much skin off under my eyebrow. Luckily they had the Veet Natural Inspirations Wax Strips which still have the grip of the original but are kinder to skin!

Now, I don’t consider having any kind of sensitive skin but these ones pull out all my coarse eyebrow hairs and come with 20 wax strips which I cut in half or in quarters for more precision, plus it is easier to see where I’m waxing. These strips don’t leave a sticky residue and come with finishing wipes which really help get any remaining wax off. Oh, and they’re only £3.99!

Comment your favourite eyebrow products below!

Frank Body Coffee Scrub Review

Frankly, I’m not a fan.

About ten years ago, Frank Body launched with its coffee scrub going viral. It was a highly sought-after product, claiming to give you a “post-vacay glow”. For a long time, even though the marketing was good, I still was skeptical about the product itself and how it is different from the coffee grounds that you have in the kitchen cupboard. I was kindly gifted this product by a friend last year for my birthday so I thought I would give it a go.

The packaging was tough to open despite the easy-pull tab so I used scissors to cut it and I was instantly hit with the smell of coffee. I was intrigued as I assumed the original was coffee-scented and for this one, I was expecting a stronger coconut scent which didn’t occur.

The product literally just looks like and is the consistency of coffee grounds so my first impression wasn’t the best. The texture is dry and as I followed the instructions and rubbed it on my skin, I thought “What am I doing?”. I have never used a body scrub that hadn’t had a cream or gel consistency before so this was a new experience for sure. I tried to lean into it as after all, my teenage self would be excited that I even owned this product.

As I applied it to the skin, the smell of coffee was overwhelming at this point and it didn’t make for a pleasant experience. The packaging was messy and the coffee grounds got everywhere making it hard to re-seal the bag. I didn’t feel a great change in my skin like I had with other exfoliators in the past. Now I’m not one for harsh exfoliators but this didn’t feel like the glowing vacation skin I was promised, it felt like I was trying out a “5-minute craft”.

After I washed it off and finished my shower, I realised that the coffee grounds clung to certain areas (where you wouldn’t want coffee grounds to be!) and I was disappointed that the grains had stuck to my skin and the shower. I feel like there is no slip to the product and it didn’t glide effectively. My skin normally feels smooth and soft after exfoliating but with this product, it didn’t feel any different.

My final thoughts are that I believe the Frank Body Coffee scrubs are a gimmick. I felt using the coffee grains after drinking a pot of coffee in the morning would be more sustainable and do the same job. I like coffee, but not in the shower. Frank Body has come out with other exfoliators since the launch of the coffee scrub which appears to be more of a cream consistency with targeted treatments so hopefully, those are better.

Let’s keep the coffee in the kitchen eh?

Makeup No-Buy 2024

I saw this TikTok by @mothermegi at the end of 2023 stating that she was on a makeup no-buy for the year ahead with many others jumping on the #PanThatPalette and the #Deinfluencing trends. Finally, I feel we are seeing a positive trend to improve the issue of overconsumption in cosmetics. For the past couple of years, I have tried to declutter my cosmetics as I have also not been a conscious consumer until now. The TikTok really made me wonder, how much do we have to consume for it to be too much?

We are constantly being told by influencers that we “NEED this product” and to “run don’t walk” to get the latest thing because it will “change your life!”. Most of the time we will buy it, use it a few times, and then look for the next best thing (guilty!), but the products that are “life-changing” we tend to repurchase again and again because we know they work for us.

Using up what I already have before buying anything new will be my aim for this year and if I get the urge to buy anything new, I’ll see if I have anything similar in my collection already or simply switch up my products so it feels like I’m using something new! Focusing on a few products at one time can help so you feel like you’ve made more progress, then once something is finished, shop your stash until all the products in that category have run out.

Don’t get me wrong, I still like makeup and skincare but I am also not a makeup artist, I am just a makeup girly. Brb I’m off to watch a makeup tutorial*.

(*and not buy anything).

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Nail The New Year

We all know Hailey Bieber’s chrome nails went viral this year and since then many variations of it have popped up all over social media. We’ve seen a lot of colour recently with dark greens, rusts, and plums taking the reigns as usual in the colder seasons.

For the past few months, I’ve been getting my nails done. As a mani-pedi virgin, I thought it was time to venture out (and treat myself). Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always had decent cuticles and a nice nail shape I like to think. As a trained beauty therapist you’d think I’d do my own nails, however, there’s something therapeutic about having someone else do them. Granted, I’m not very adventurous and normally I go for a barely-there nude or natural nail but I have tried square and almond nail shapes and dabbled in colours such as metallic navy blue, thin french, and milky pinks.

Icy Nails

Cool colours for winter will always be in and I can’t get enough of them. From crisp greys, blues and milky whites, frosty nails is a look I’m into. After Autumn, in the colder months, we’re wearing layers and long coats and you want nails that will go with this look. Elegant almond and oval shapes will perfect any dinner party look or when you’re typing at the office.

New Year Nails

See in the new year with minimalist starry nails, perfect for any party. A nude base with gold or silver stars and dots will look gorgeous against the backdrop of the fireworks in the sky. They’re a great option if, like me, you’re not very ‘out there’ with your nails but still want to indulge in a bit of nail art.

Bold Brights

The perfect choice for any season, red nails have been circulating TikTok thanks to the Red Nail Theory. They add a touch of drama to any outfit and will brighten up your look. Choose from wine, fireman or letterbox reds, anything goes!

Floral Fancy

Florals for Spring? Groundbreaking.

I feel like spring and summer aren’t complete without a floral nail. Go as extravagant or as minimalist as you like, these nails will never go out of style. Add a bit of glitter or a bold colour base for an alternative twist.

What nails are you loving in 2023?

Image source: Pinterest.

Beauty News

Objection! Hearsay.

Milani Madness

The palette in question belongs to none other than Milani Cosmetics. If you’ve been following the Johnny Depp/ Amber Heard Trial, you will know exactly why this beauty product has caused a stir recently. During the trial, Amber Heard’s lawyer claimed that she used the palette to cover her bruises throughout her relationship with Johnny Depp. In April, Milani Cosmetics made a Tiktok showing that this palette only came out in 2017, after their relationship had already ended. This shortly went viral and with 1.1M likes and 26.3K comments, there’s no hiding the evidence.

Creator’s Collaborate

Youtube makeup sensation Michelle Phan and makeup artist Hung Vango have come together to bring you around 40 minutes of pure art. Hung has worked with Selena Gomez and Emily Ratajkowski to name a few. As the ultimate duo, Michelle brings us YouTube nostalgia along with Hung’s expertise, they create the perfect 90s makeup look – this is every beauty lover’s dream! Watch it here.

Small Brand, Big Impact

Gender-neutral beauty brand UN_DID has launched two new products. After launching their In Your Face Water Tint (£19) which proved to be a hit, they have now ventured into skin and hair care. Their new Moneywash Cleanser (£16) promises to control oil, brighten and even your skin tone as well as hydrate the skin (suitable for oily skin types). Meltdown (£15) is an organic oil for hair and body which aims to hydrate, strengthen, soothe and seal moisture into the skin. Their products are paraben, silicone and sulphate free (among other benefits) and completely vegan and cruelty-free. UN-DID is making waves as a POC and LGBTQ+ owned brand creating sustainable, inclusive products for everyone. (@theundid)

Face of the Day

The sun has been popping in and out recently, and that means SPF is more important than ever. I really like the Neutrogena Hydro Boost City Shield which is a good winter/spring SPF. It works seamlessly under makeup and provides a really lovely base. It doesn’t pill at all and has a really nice thin consistency so it sinks in beautifully.

I have loved and used the IT Cosmetics CC Cream (all versions) for years, so when I heard they came out with a foundation I was beyond excited. The Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare is beautiful medium coverage, radiant foundation with a thin, water texture. It looks beautiful on the skin and gives a gorgeous glow. I’m a huge fan of the CC cream which gives a medium to full coverage and is oddly thicker than the foundation which is light to medium coverage (I would have thought it would be the other way round). It is best applied with fingers or I like to use a brush with the foundation and a sponge with the CC cream. Both look like skin which is the main thing and the colour match is *chef’s kiss*.

The Kiko Active Foundation Stick has been my go-to cream bronzer over anything else. I still love the Clinique Curvy Contour but I feel like for a warmer look this gives me a super-creamy, blendable warmth to my skin. It is extremely pigmented so I apply it to the brush first and then buff it in to diffuse the product a bit more.

The bareMinerals Original Liquid Concealer is a lightweight, satin, highly pigmented concealer. It is a medium-coverage concealer that feels like silk on the skin. A little goes a long way and it has long-wear and a radiant finish. It feels very light on the skin which is always a bonus as I don’t like the feeling of heavy base products.

My beat-up Mac Extra Dimension Blush is such a beautiful shade and gives a glow without the need to use a separate highlight. It is highly pigmented and unfortunately has separated from the packaging but I still use it because I love it. I find this happens a lot with Mac powder products, the packaging always breaks! On a positive note, the shade ‘Hushed Tone’ is incredible and the Extra dimension finish is a buildable, buttery formula.

The Benefit They’re Real! Mascara, I have to admit, I disliked when I first used it. I found the formula really wet and the brush always spikes my eye (that hasn’t changed), however I pulled it out again and I was pleasantly suprised, but I can’t say I would reach for it often. I tend to prefer a drier formula when it comes to mascaras, but it lasted well all day with no flaking, clumping or smudging.

Kiko Lipglosses are unmatched. I have re-purchased the clear gloss probably 5 times over as it is incredible. I have never found another gloss that makes your lips look plump and smooth without being a ‘plumping’ formula that irritates the lips. It smooths out all the fine lines in your lips as it’s formulated with hyaluronic acid which is especially good to hydrate your lips and is not sticky at all! Looks incredible over any other lip product, 10/10.

Comment below what products you’ve been using, I’d love to know!

Spring Cleaning

Declutter your cosmetics with confidence.

The era of Youtuber makeup collection videos took hoarding to a whole new level. As young, impressionable teens we too, sought to have the Ikea Alex drawers overflowing with the latest products. However, for many like myself, the accumulation of Revlon Lip Butters (Tutti Frutti – hello!) only led to what can be described as cosmetic baggage.

Nowadays everyone seems to have a minimal makeup collection of their favourite products. Rimmel Kate Moss Lipsticks are out and Dior Lip Oils are in. Recently, I got rid of a sickening amount of expired makeup and skincare products and I recommend you do too. As I approach 25, I want to feel like an adult, which means owning grown-up makeup. This includes creating a collection of core products or ‘holy grails’.

Step 1: Do I use it?

When beginning the cosmetic cull, the best place to start was functionality. Whether or not I used a product became my main focus and helped with the bulk of the process. I found asking myself this question helped bring it back to basics and find what products I truly love using.

Step 2: Do I want it?

After clearing a lot of unnecessary products, I found that items I was unsure of, or I thought had potential would be the next hurdle. Wanting to keep a product seemed like a bigger decision and I wondered whether I actually wanted and liked the product enough to keep it. More often than not I thought, ‘what was I thinking?’ – decision made.

Step 3: Do I need it?

A need is more emotional and I used this as the last step to filter out anything I really didn’t need. I found by this stage I was pretty confident in my choices and knew I needed most items I chose. At this stage it helps to think about different occasions or opportunities when you would need the product, but if you can’t picture it, then toss it.

I was very cut-throat in my approach when clearing out my cosmetics but it was worthwhile. Even though I probably still have more products than I should, it all fits neatly on my desk – result! I’d like to think my younger self would be proud that I’ve finally cleared the clutter (but really I know she’d be devastated that I discarded the Collection 2000 concealer). I highly reccommend doing this if you want to refresh your makeup, or re-discover some old favourites.

Must-Have Makeup Favourites 2021

From left to right: Estée Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara; No7 Airbrush Away Finishing Powder; Real Techniques Seamless Complexion Brush; Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour; Kiko 3d Hydra Lipgloss; Kiko Skin Tone Concealer; MAC EXTRA DIMENSION SKINFINISH; Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free – Broad Spectrum SPF 20;; NYX Professional Makeup Slim Lip Pencil Natural; MAC MATTE LIPSTICK; Clinique Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm; MILANI BAKED BLUSH

Throughout 2021, I feel I have tried many makeup products with a focus on base and cheek products. This year was the year I (along with the rest of the internet) dabbled in cream blush and contour, as well as switching up my foundation. Lighter, more glowy makeup seemed to be popping up all over TikTok, and it looks like we can continue to enjoy it well into the new year.

BASE

Starting with the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free – Broad Spectrum SPF 20, a product that was on my wishlist for so long! I got the oil-free version to prevent my skin from breaking out (which I am prone to). Its light, creamy texture blurs your skin! It looks and feels amazing, lasts all day long and looks really healthy on the skin. It’s definitely not drying or matte (even though it is an oil-free formula- result!). I will happily re-purchase this over and over again.

To conceal, I’ve really not been a fan of super thick or heavy concealer. Having inherited dark circles, I always thought thicker concealer meant more coverage, but I would find those formulas would crease under my eyes. That’s why I love the Kiko Skin Tone Concealer which is a super-thin, serum-like consistency but it is pigmented, hydrating and long-lasting. I was told by the lovely Kiko Beauty Advisor that the trick with this concealer is to press it into the skin rather than swipe it on. So far so good! My only gripe is that I wish there was more of it, as it is a small tube.

I have been blending my base products in with the Real Techniques Seamless Complexion Brush which is the ultimate brush. Its slanted bristles make fit the face perfectly. Somewhere between a dense buffer and a powder brush, this super-soft bristle is a multi-tasker and blends foundation, concealer and even cream bronzer/blush like a dream. It’s also easy to clean as the bristles aren’t super dense so makeup doesn’t get trapped between the bristles. I’ve tried so many brushes over the years and nothing compares!

After hearing it was a dupe for the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder, I bought the No7 Airbrush Away Finishing Powder which had amazing reviews online. I have always gone back and forth between using powder and then not wanting to use it. I often feel conflicted and question whether it really makes much of a difference to my skin. I’ve never been super into powders for this very reason and after using the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder on and off for years, I made the switch to the No7 one. I find it blends beautifully, has a finer texture and looks undetectable on the skin.

CHEEKS

I was nervous to try cream blush and bronzer for the first time but luckily, Clinique makes it easy. Their Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour is the perfect bronzey shade and super easy to apply and blendable. The Clinique Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm gives the prettiest flush of colour too. For a full review click here.

I’ve always avoided blush as I found it made my cheeks look rounder than they are. After seeing blush truly take off in the past year, I felt more confident to branch out and I’m glad I did! Now I don’t know how I lived without it and cringe at my juvenile makeup techniques. The MILANI BAKED BLUSH in the shade ‘Luminoso’ gives me a beautiful glowy flush. Very natural-looking, this blush is so gorgeous, especially when applied to a light base to achieve that “no-makeup-makeup” look.

The MAC EXTRA DIMENSION SKINFINISH in shade Whisper of Gilt gives a buildable glow. As an avid fan of Becca’s Champagne Pop highlight, which was blindingly beautiful, I’ve had to seek other alternatives since their closure last year. Heartbreak aside, this MAC one looks amazing and gives a lit-from-within glow. I also have been using this on my eyes for a golden subtle shimmer which looks beautiful in the summer.

EYES

The Estée Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara has been the best mascara at providing my lashes with volume and length. I feel I have very thin eyelashes, despite being dark they don’t have the fullness I long for. Luckily the Sumptuous Extreme fixes that! I love that it is easy to remove with a cleanser with no need for harsh rubbing at my eyes. As an #EsteeBeautyAdvisor, I would highly recommend this mascara if you want to add va-va-voom to your lashes.

LIPS

I’m always on the hunt for that day to night lipstick. MAC’s Velvet Teddy has been my favourite for a long time but on a trip to New York City, I purchased MAC MATTE LIPSTICK in Taupe whilst browsing in Bloomingdale’s. After sadly losing the beautiful shade, I re-purchased it and it was just as stunning as I remember. With MAC’s classic matte finish, it glides on so beautifully without feeling dry at all. The shade is not too brown or nude but somewhere in-between. It can look like a pretty wash of colour during the day and it can be built up to be a more intense, rich lip for the night.

I love pairing this lipstick with the NYX Professional Makeup Slim Lip Pencil Natural which glides on so easily and looks amazing with the Kiko 3d Hydra Lipgloss on top which gives you the juiciest look ever. I cannot express how incredible this lipgloss is and so affordable too! It makes your lips look like glass and contains hyaluronic acid which makes them look plump without the tingling sensation. This is by no means a “plumping gloss” that irritates the skin to make your lips swell, this simply provides hydration, making your lips look full and smooth.

Let me know what your fave products were!

Clarins Lip Comfort Oil

As the days get shorter and the nights get colder, our skin becomes drier in the winter months. We all know the feeling of being blasted by a gust of icy wind when you first open your front door in the morning and the harsh weather takes its toll on your skin.

Our lips are no stranger to the damage harsh weather conditions cause. And let’s face it, cracked, chapped are never a good look. Like the rest of our skin, our lips are often neglected and we think a bit of Vaseline will do. The problem is, petroleum jelly is used to retain moisture that is already in the skin. Often we need to use something that will actually penetrate the layers of the skin to provide the hydration we are looking for.

The Clarins Lip Comfort Oil (£19) contains rich oils that will intensely nourish and keep your lips soft and plump. Its non-sticky formula provides your lips with a juicy, smooth look. Think of it as a gloss that conditions your lips good too.

This is my personal favourite I’ve tried so far, as it feels so luxurious on the lips and the non-greasy formula leaves them feeling smooth and soft.

With so many lip oils currently on the market, what’s your fave? Comment below!